Class of 2021

Emma Schubart, violin

Emma Schubart (violin) is from Babylon, N.Y. Emma has studied under Joanna Kaczorowska. She began studying violin at the age of 4 under the guidance of her Juilliard-trained father. Throughout high school, Emma was a member of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, for which she served as concertmaster for the 2016 Carnegie Hall performance, as well as countless local and regional festivals. Emma has also served as principal second violinist of the St. Martin of Tours Symphony in Amityville, N.Y. She pursued pre-college music studies at Stony Brook University and the Manhattan School of Music and was a member of the prestigious New York Youth Symphony, under the baton of New York Philharmonic Assistant Conductor, Joshua Gersen. Emma was a member of the Chamber Program of the New York Youth Symphony as well. She was honored to be selected to attend New York’s All-State Conference twice as well as the Biennial NAFME Eastern Division Conference in Atlantic City, N.J. Emma has attended the Decoda Skidmore Chamber Music Institute and the Young Artist Summer Program at Curtis Summerfest. She freelances throughout the New York metropolitan area for business and social events, and has been engaged for countless weddings and benefit events through her church on Long Island. Emma is a student of Nicholas DiEugenio.

Naomi Sutherland, harp

Naomi Sutherland (harp) is from Viroqua, Wis. In 2017, Naomi performed the Debussy Danses for harp and orchestra with the Madison Symphony Orchestra in a televised performance as a finalist in the Bolz Young Artist Competition “Final Forte.” In 2015, Naomi performed the complete Handel Harp Concerto with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra at the invitation of Director Alexander Platt. Naomi has performed with numerous ensembles including the Wisconsin State Honors Orchestra and the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she has studied at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar, and the Connecticut Valley Summer Harp Intensive. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, Naomi has studied with many distinguished teachers including Joan Holland, harp professor at the University of Michigan and Interlochen Arts Academy; Liz Cifani, harp professor at Northwestern University; Judy Loman, harp professor at the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music; and Skaila Kanga, Head of Harp Studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Naomi is a student of Laura Byrne.

Rebecca Williams, saxophone

Rebecca Williams (saxophone) is from Asheville, N.C. Rebecca attended Interlochen Arts Academy for two years and graduated in the spring of 2017. While at Interlochen, she participated as the soprano saxophone player in the saxophone quartet and premiered Ashley Fure’s piece “Bound to the Bow” at the New York Philharmonic Biennial Celebration in 2016, which was later a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize. Rebecca participated in the Brevard Music Center summer festival from 2013-2015, and has performed in masterclasses with Joseph Lulloff, Taimur Sullivan, Tim McAllister, Steven Jordheim, Capital Quartet, Bill Sears, Trio Dionysus, and Jonathan Yanik. Rebecca has studied with Ian Jeffress, Matthew Schlomer, and Joseph Lulloff. Along with majoring in music, Rebecca is also a member of Honors Carolina and is pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Science. Rebecca is a student of Matthew McClure.

Jane Zhao, piano

Jane Zhao (piano) is from Cary, N.C. Jane began her formal music training with Florence Ko at the ripe age of 8. In the 10 years since, Jane has placed first in more than 20 competitions, including the Young Artist Piano Auditions, National Federation of Music Clubs State Competition, etc. Awarded both the Sandra Manly Hopper and Marion Cable Scholarships, Jane has been honored in multiple state competitions. Expanding her already extensive repertoire, her brilliant performance placed her first in the Charles F.T. Nakari Piano Competition and in the Lyric Style Best Baroque Performance Award. She also accepted first place in the Lady and Princess categories of the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs Royalty State Competition. Subsequently performing at different venues across the state, Jane achieved additional success playing Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Griffes, etc. at universities such as East Carolina, UNC-CH, and UNC School of the Arts. Along the way, she gathered the ECU Young Artist Best American Music Award, UNC-CH Liszt Festival Honors Laureate, and second place at the UNCSA sonata competition. After winning first place in the Chapel Hill Philharmonic Young Artist Concerto Competition, the Harlan Duenow Young Artist Concerto Competition, and the Tar River Young Artist Competition, Jane performed with the Chapel Hill Philharmonia, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, and the Tar River Philharmonic Orchestra. She also finished second in the Peter Perret Youth Talent Search Concerto Competition of the Winston-Salem Symphony. Most recently, Jane won the Greg MacCallum Scholarship as well as third place in the Enkor International Competition. Jane is a student of Clara Yang.